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Joy is yours
The French call it joie de vivre—the “joy of living.” And it has been defined as the “exultation of spirit.” We’ve all experienced it in some measure—a beautiful day, a magnificent flower, the laughter of a child, the frolic of a dog, the hug of a loved one.
But, this zest for living can sometimes seem illusive as we go about the routine of our daily lives. Perhaps disappointment, past mistakes, or limiting circumstances have sapped our joy. Or, maybe, as some believe, it is built into our genes or chemistry that we’ll inevitably have times where we feel low. Others may wonder if it’s even possible to find real joy or happiness given the constant stress of human circumstances. Or if they do have joy, will they be able to hold on to it?
Many years ago, I learned from experience that we can defend ourselves from negative thoughts that try to remove our joy when I was healed of depression through Christian Science (see “The ‘Real’ in Relationships,” July 3, 2006, Christian Science Sentinel). Christian Science shows us that we are not helpless victims, and I took great comfort in knowing that joy is a spiritual quality that can never be taken away.
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